To raise awareness amongst the Indian-American community on the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS, the American India Foundation has launched a series of initiatives on World AIDS Day.
The Foundation -- with former US President Bill Clinton at the honorary chair -- was fomed in 2001 and has since raised over $26 million from Indian Americans and US firms for improving public health, education and right to livelihood projects in India.
"Indian-Americans must provide high-level visibility, leadership and resources to accelerate the prevention and mitigate against the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS in India," said Rajat Gupta, the co-chair of the foundation.
The initatives that were launched were the Service Corps, the Digital Equaliser, League of Artisans and Donor Education.
"While the Service Corps will help develop young American leaders, the Digital Equaliser will aim at bridging the digital divide by providing computers and training to under-resourced schools," he said elaborating on the initiatives.
"The League of Artisans will create sustained livelihood for underprivileged artisans, particularly tribal, rural and women artisans and Donor Education will train donors to become strategic philanthropists," he continued.
Early next year, AIF plans to pilot the India Public Health HIV/AIDS MediCorps (IPHAM) by recruiting an initial four to six Indian-American public health care professionals to be placed with Indian organizations to tackle the prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS.
They have also launched a web-based public information outreach effort to promote knowledge and awareness of the epidemic in India.
The foundation will work with the India AIDS initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to convene a high-level AIDS summit in Washington, DC in early 2006.
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